Do you have some ink you wish you’d never gotten? Or maybe you’ve simply outgrown an old design and want it gone. Whatever your reason, laser tattoo removal may be able to help you get the clean slate you’re after. But before you jump right in, there are a few things you need to know about laser tattoo removal, how it works and how to decide if it’s right for you.
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You’ll Need Multiple Sessions
Most tattoos will require more than 1 laser treatment session to achieve maximum results. The size, color and saturation of your tattoo can all affect how many sessions it might take to erase your ink.
If you’re seriously considering laser tattoo removal and would like to know about how many sessions you might need, your best bet is to sit down with a qualified laser specialist. He or she will assess your tattoo in person and give you an estimated number of sessions and total length of time that it might take to achieve your desired outcome.
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Location Matters
Many people don’t realize that the location of the tattoo on their body can also play a large role in the removal process. Generally speaking, tattoos that are placed on your ankles, hands and other areas far away from your heart are the most difficult to remove. That’s because your blood circulation is typically strongest near your heart, so tattoos removed from these areas will heal more effectively than in spots with poorer circulation.
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Not All Lasers Are Created Equal
There is a wide range of lasers now available to treat a variety of skin concerns. The laser used for your tattoo removal needs to be specifically designed for this purpose in order to be most effective.
The PicoWay® tattoo laser can be used on virtually any skin tone and is highly effective at removing both black and colored tattoos. This laser uses three different wavelengths, delivered in ultra-short picosecond bursts, to break up the pigment safely and efficiently.
The average tattoo removal session with the PicoWay laser lasts around 20 minutes, although very small tattoos can be treated in as little as 5 minutes.
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Older Tattoos Fade More Easily
New tattoos need to be completely healed before you can begin laser removal treatments.
The older your tattoo is, the easier it will probably be to remove. Older tattoos have already started to fade on their own, making it easier for the laser to remove the remaining pigment.
Brand new, highly saturated ink, on the other hand, will likely take significantly more removal sessions to achieve the same results. But this isn’t to say that newer tattoos can’t be removed—just that they will take longer.
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Sun Exposure and Lasers Don’t Mix
Exposing your skin to the sun while in the process of laser tattoo removal is a big no-no. Sunlight can cause complications such as hyperpigmentation, blistering and increased healing time. It’s best to avoid sun exposure before, during and after laser tattoo removal to see the best results. If your skin is tanned, wait until the color fades before starting your first treatment.
If you are going to be exposed to the sun, even while driving in your car or sitting next to a bright window at your office, wear sunscreen to protect your skin.
Caroll Delo is a board certified laser technician at Simply Smooth Laser Center in Tampa, a niche practice that focuses specifically on laser treatments. Simply Smooth Laser Center offers the most advanced options in laser hair removal, laser skin rejuvenation and laser tattoo removal.
